17 Nov 2020
by Joyce
in Beginnings, breathing, change, clouds, random thoughts, witness, words
Tags: collecting bones, dancing, self acceptance, Shadow dance
I have been collecting my bones. Looking in all the right places, and all the wrong. The bones of me have been scattered, some left with past lovers, some left with past homes, most just left.
As I collect them I learn that some of my most lost bones, some of my darkest, some of my shadow bones are yearning to reconnect with all of me. I learn that I need these dark shadows, The light of me yearns to rest in shadow, to dance with my shadow. 
My bones are creaky, unused, disconnected, unloved.
I am collecting the bones of me, gathering them into my soul, warming them, healing them. Letting them be me
.
29 Sep 2019
by Joyce
in freedom, random thoughts, Uncategorized, words, world
Tags: audacity, blessings, breathing, contentment, inspiration
I have music in my universe. Worldly music in mundane moments. Driving in the car, I hear the song of the wind through the windows. From my front door I hear the music of a train in the distance; it’s brakes singing a song of lonely longing and hopeful sighs.
I hear the power of leaves rushing in the wind, and the percussion rattle of acorns falling onto the ground.
Music…birds whistling from the cattails in our swamp, little frogs chorusing, bats whisking; tree to tree, rain dropping into grass, car tires swishing on wet pavement.
My musical universe wraps around my soul, brings me peace, brings silence to my heart.
01 Jan 2017
by Joyce
in family, freedom, history, new year, random thoughts
Tags: communication, family, friends, inspiration, life, women
Lately my words have failed me, not because I have nothing to say, but because when I sit down to write my thought, my mind wanders.
The concept of Auld Lang Syne for instance. Recently I reconnected with a friend from my distant past. Distant past! From two or three lifetimes ago. Sue was a woman that I spent countless hours with in my youth. We talked, we exercised, we had babies, we ate, we commiserated, we loved one another. Life and I think the need of both of us to remove our selves to new worlds interfered. We both moved, we both divorced, we both remarried, I divorced again, and had another daughter. We lost our connection.
When I finally found her on Facebook I was hesitant to reach out, would she remember me? It had been over thirty years, all four of our children were grown, we were now grandmothers, no longer those immortal children of our early twenties.
We both had continued to live, both to grow, both to love, and had new friends, new lives, far apart from one another, in years, life styles, and distance.
But I messaged her, and waited, for about a week. I was a tad anxious, would she still want to know me?
And then her message came. And then a phone call. and we laughed, we chatted. I cried a bit on my side, so happy to hear from that beautiful friend. I admit to stalking her Facebook page whilst I waited, and I was so relieved to know that her infectious smile was still the same. And now we are making plans to spend a weekend reconnecting.
So what is the point of this ramble? Although lifetimes pass, and we make new and beloved friends, create new families, new adventures, we can go home. And our home always lives in our hearts.
Happy new year to my friends, new and old. I love you all!
02 Jul 2016
by Joyce
in angels, Beginnings, breathing, daydreams, freedom, history, random thoughts, summer
Happy fourth everyone.
Our country, well, we are so diverse. We are a people made of the cultures, beliefs and history of many. We have a great deal of goodness to focus upon, so at this time I will.
Happy Fourth of July. Celebrate this honest holiday with pride and faith!
22 Nov 2015
by Joyce
in Beginnings, daydreams, family, random thoughts, Uncategorized
Tags: thankfullness
I am just grateful these days. Grateful for the opportunity to cocoon in my home, to live surrounded by the “things” I love. I am grateful for John’s warm heart that love me.
And I am thankful for Parker dogs scent…really.
I am thankful for Orange Cat patrolling our outside for the dastardly mice and hope he is thankful for his heated home in the garage.
I am thankful we have no snow, I really don’t like snow.
I am thankful for our full freezer, and the gas in our cars, the heat in our buildings, our electricity, just every little thing I often take for granted.
Today I am grateful for thankfulness.
08 Dec 2014
by Joyce
in change, daydreams, freedom, gypsies, People I Know, random thoughts
Tags: breathing, dreaming, freedom, inspiration, spiritual, women
A comment to John the other day. “My favorite people are really weird!” It is true. With other souls who have a skewered outlook on living I am the most comfortable, the most at home.
11 Oct 2014
by Joyce
in angels, breathing, change, clouds, daydreams, family, gypsies, little girl, mother, passing, random thoughts, Uncategorized, words
Tags: dreaming, family, inspiration, mother, sisters, spiritual
Our Mother, Dorothy, was born this day.
Happy Birthday Mom. So many miss and love you.
Mom’s 80th, still young.
I know our niece Shelly thinks of you every day, I believe she misses you the most. 
Cheri starts grieving about this time of year. but I know you are with her holding her hand. Sandi Kaye has a broken heart. Sandy B I think has trouble believing you are gone, Dee is lonely for you, Richard just plain misses you and Steve grieves in his quiet fashion. I think our Linda is overjoyed that you are in Heaven with her, causing mayhem and hilarity. Me, I am still befuddled, finally getting to know you now that you are gone.
Y
our daughters and sons, your grandchildren, your greats and your great greats, all miss you.
If you had been allowed, you might have been a hell raiser, in a good way. You always had a hidden talent for mischief, and a glint in your eye. I’m amazed the glint didn’t vanish after the life you lead as a youth, farmed out to an older husband at 16, lonely and isolated in the middle of nowhere Iowa, no amenities, just hard work and babies. Your resilience was something else again, candling eggs, working in a nursing home, a bar, learning to make money and support your children when Dad passed. I remember your learning to drive a car, you were determined as you headed into the ditch, but stopped in time. Your red-headed Irish temper flared just a bit right then.
To this day I feel a surge of delight when I see make up samples, your days as an Avon rep have stayed with me always, with your blue case of wonders.
You sure knew how to love your man, and you deserved more love than you might have received. But you had moments of glory and happiness.
I imagine you, with Linda, our sister, your daughter. You have both reconciled, you are fantastic evolved beings. I imagine you in a rocker, with a fluffy white kitten on your lap, or laying in the sun, turning a lovely copper.
I love and live for the sunshine. You taught your children that. Some cold days I turn my face to the sun and feel your warmth in my soul. I imagine you are always in the warmth of glory these days. You deserve to be, you deserve to rest.
04 Jul 2014
by Joyce
in Beginnings, breathing, change, daydreams, family, freedom, gypsies, history, mother, old west, planning, random thoughts, stories, witness, world
Tags: breathing, change, clouds, Coming to America, dreaming, family, freedom, inspiration, people, sisters, world
children of the poor
Yesterday I watched a news story. Women and children are coming to our boarders, believing that they will find freedom. Believing in the American Dream; met at the border by rich US citizens, turned away, screamed at, disregarded as people. We furiously protect what we have, forgetting where we got it!
Trail of Tears
We forget that our ancestors came from other countries; pushing out the native people who lived here. In many cases with genocide.
We forget that our ancestors came, and lived in hovels, worked, scraped, struggled. So that they could have the American Dream. We forget that they were scorned and terrorized, yet kept coming. 
We forget where we came from.
This is not a treatise on immigration policy, I am not smart enough for that. This is a call for understanding and love, for a return to our basic values of liberty and justice for all. What are the words?
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
This is how most of us arrived here. My great grandparents from Prussia and England with little, working their way here to the Midwest, coming to dream.
Today, everyday, remember and honor.
19 May 2014
by Joyce
in angels, breathing, change, clouds, daydreams, Fairy Tales, gypsies, mosaic, mother, rain, random thoughts, spring, spring reflective, stories, witness
Tags: breathing, dreaming, fairies, inspiration, spiritual, spring
On this rainy spring morning I can imagine little fairies cozened up in their homes with feet up on pin cushions, settled in, covered with downy quilts. Tea steaming in little cups, staying dry, and dreaming of the sun.
01 May 2014
by Joyce
in angels, Beginnings, breathing, change, clouds, daydreams, Fairy Tales, freedom, gypsies, mother, rain, random thoughts, spring, summer
Tags: Beltane, breathing, dreaming, events, freedom, friends, inspiration, spiritual, spring, summer, women
As a child, our Mother helped us to craft small construction paper baskets, to fill with wild violets. We would take these, early in the morning, and hang them on the door knobs of our friends houses. She also baked coconut macaroons, just then, for that day.
I loved these traditions, and now, understand the offerings, the macaroons for blessings, the flowers to represent spring moving into summer.
We sort of have forgotten this day, as we have many things that I remember from child hood.
Well, here is my basket of flowers for you! Happy Beltane, one and all! Blessings on you!
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